Dodgers vs Braves Prediction & Odds: NLDS Game 3 MLB Picks

Neil Parker - Analyst at Covers.com
Neil Parker • Betting Analyst 16+ years betting experience
Updated: Oct 6, 2026 , 11:31 AM ET • 4 min read

Yoshinobu Yamamoto leads Dodgers to pivotal Game 3 win over the Braves at Truist Park tonight.

mlb

Match starts: 1 hrs
Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB, Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Photo By - Reuters Connect. Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) looks on in the third inning against the San Diego Padres

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves have split the first two games of the National League Division Series, and Game 3 is trading as a near pick’em ahead of the 6 p.m. ET first pitch at Truist Park on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

My favorite Dodgers vs. Braves predictions and MLB picks expect Los Angeles starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto to continue his postseason dominance in winning fashion tonight. 

 TOP PICK
Dodgers vs Braves prediction: Dodgers moneyline

For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.

With two elite pitchers placing a premium on runs in Game 3 of the NLDS, I’m siding with the better offense: the Los Angeles Dodgers.

L.A. finished fifth in wOBA and fourth in ISO against lefties in the regular season, and second in overall xwOBA in the second half. For comparison, the Atlanta Braves were 11th and eighth in the advanced metrics against righties and 18th in xwOBA after the break.

Of course, the Dodgers have also won nine of starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s 10 postseason appearances, and the righty has held the Braves to a .232 wOBA and .140 ISO across three career starts, so I recommend the Dodgers up to 55%.

Covers COVERS INTEL:  Yamamoto limited opposing hitters to a pedestrian .215 wOBA and .084 ISO across six 2025 postseason appearances.

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Dodgers vs Braves combo

Braves lefty Chris Sale will be the key to this combo because I expect him to pitch well given his high-end 2.80 xERA and 3.13 xFIP at home, but failing to pile up strikeouts against a disciplined Los Angeles lineup.

The Dodgers struck out at the fourth-lowest clip against lefties during the regular season.

This is also a pivotal game, so Sale’s a candidate to hand the ball over earlier tonight considering he’s already thrown 7 2/3 innings across two appearances this postseason.

Dodgers vs Braves combo

  • Dodgers moneyline
  • Under 6.5
  • Chris Sale Under 7.5 strikeouts

Dodgers vs Braves home run prediction: Teoscar Hernandez

Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez sports a solid .241 ISO over the past three years against lefties, and he’s posted a .236 xISO across 29 plate appearances against Sale. 

The moment won’t be too big for him, either. He’s hit 11 homers across 172 postseason plate appearances with an impressive 45.5% hard-hit rate and 18.9% blast-contact rate.

Neil Parker's 2026 Transparency Record
  • Top picks: 131-111, +48.98 units
  • Combos: 12-34, +4.52 units
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Dodgers vs Braves weather

The forecast calls for clear, sunny skies and a comfortable game-time temperature of 76 degrees. A gentle 8-mph breeze will blow inward as temperatures cool into the 60s at Truist Park tonight.

Dodgers vs Braves odds

  • Moneyline: Dodgers 50% | Braves 51%
  • Run line: Dodgers -1.5 (36%) | Braves +1.5 (65%)
  • Over/Under: Over 6.5 (48%) | Under 6.5 (53%)

Dodgers vs Braves trend

The Dodgers have won in nine of the 10 postseason games Yamamoto has pitched. Find more MLB betting trends for Dodgers vs. Braves.

How to watch Dodgers vs Braves and game info

Location Truist Park, Atlanta, Ga.
Date Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026
First pitch 6:00 p.m. ET
TV FS1
Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto
(0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale
(0-0, 3.52 ERA)

Dodgers vs Braves latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Neil Parker - Covers
Betting Analyst

Neil Parker is, first and foremost, a sports fan. A huge supporter of the Cowboys, Cubs, and Maple Leafs, he has managed to parlay his passion into writing gigs at some of the top websites in the industry.

Neil takes a numbers-based approach to his handicapping and complements his in-depth statistical analysis with a keen eye on the markets to provide the best available odds. He loves to lean on his rolodex of idioms to offset his inner nerd. When it comes to wagering, he throws down on anything that catches his eye at bet365, Betway and BetVictor. He also keeps a close eye on CoolBet because the polar bear brand often has outlier NHL and NFL moneyline prices.

Neil graduated with honors from St. Thomas University in 2007 before completing his BEd at Acadia University in 2010. After teaching a myriad of courses and subjects, he found a groove delivering fun lessons to exceptional learners in non-traditional classroom environments. If his decade-plus teaching run taught him anything about sports betting, it’s to stay the course and use the summer – or offseason – to refresh and prepare to be better in the year to come.

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